Big Idea

Disciples of Jesus continually look for ways to reveal the presence of Jesus and the availability of his Kingdom to the watching world.

Scripture

Matthew 5:13-16, John 3:30

Opening Questions

1. How have you been able to B.L.E.S.S. someone recently?
2. What is your favorite meal, and how often do you eat it?

Bible Discussion

3. Read Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus says to the crowd of people, “You are the light of the world.” The “you” is plural, meaning Jesus addressed everyone as a collective. Jesus had a vision for how people would gather to be the light of the world or the salt of the earth. What would it mean for a group of people to gather to live out that vision?
4. In verse 16, Jesus says to let your good deeds be done before others so they will praise your father in heaven. What is the difference between doing deeds to receive praise from others and doing good deeds for others to praise God? How does a person do that?

Life Application

5. Read the following quote from Skye Jethani. What do you think of it? What would it mean for you to live an ordinary life in rich communion with God?

“To be the salt and light of the world does not require a person to do extraordinary acts or amass spectacular influence. The world does not need more ambitious Christians. Rather, salt and light are the outcomes of ordinary lives lived in rich communion with God. Our world desperately needs more of those.”

6. One way we can live upside-down Kingdom lives is to de-center ourselves. We are tempted to ask, “What do I think? What do I want? How do I get my way?” Instead, we can ask, “How can I help reveal Jesus and the upside-down way of his Kingdom at this moment in this place?” What do you think about this way of de-center oneself?
7. How can we help reveal Jesus right where we find ourselves? As individuals and as a community?